We are updating our panel with a GTN750 and just found out that our current nav indicators are not compatible. Due to the price of compatible indicators, around $2,200 it seems the G5 is a great substitute. We would do a dual G5 install. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge or experience with the G5 units?

Jeff

Get a hold of the Macbeans. They just put one in their 170 and love it.


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I put one in a C-150... frankly I'm really sold. I wish that they were out when I did the panel on my 180. Oh well. I'm planning on putting one in the front and back seats of a T-6 later this summer. Better than putting in an OH'd unit which will just breakdown again. Toss the Vacuum system out!

Yeah, my vote would be do it!

gunny

I recently deleted the vacuum system in my C180 and installed a G5. Unfortunately my experience so far has not been good. The G5 unit I received has an unreliable attitude indicator. While straight and level, in calm air, it will indicate a bank angle anywhere from 5 to 40 degrees, usually to the left. It will indicate "Aligning" every few minutes, correct itself briefly, then skew again. Garmin was of little help, and passed the buck to my dealer for assistance. I was told by Garmin to add an external antennae to boost the GPS reception. I installed a Garmin blade antennae on the a/c, which did improve the satellite reception a bunch, but made zero difference in the usefulness of the display. My dealer, Advanced Avionics in New Hampshire (awesome service, I was really impressed), sent out a replacement as soon as he heard my issues. It's getting replaced this morning. I'm hoping I just had some bad luck with a faulty unit, if they are reliable and accurate, I think it will be great. During my conversation with a Garmin, I indicated that the obvious safety issue with an attitude display that topples, yet with no warning flag. Fortunately I discovered mine to be useless in VFR conditions.

I'll keep you posted......

upnorth180 wrote: I recently deleted the vacuum system in my C180 and installed a G5. Unfortunately my experience so far has not been good. ....

I did the same thing last year, but mine works perfectly.
Dual G5's with one being a dedicated HSI slaved to your GTN750 would be pretty awesome.
FWIW removing the entire vacuum system stuff took off 14 pounds.
G5 weighs 1 pound including backup battery.

Thanks for the replies.

upnorth180 wrote:I recently deleted the vacuum system in my C180 and installed a G5. Unfortunately my experience so far has not been good. The G5 unit I received has an unreliable attitude indicator. While straight and level, in calm air, it will indicate a bank angle anywhere from 5 to 40 degrees, usually to the left. It will indicate "Aligning" every few minutes, correct itself briefly, then skew again. Garmin was of little help, and passed the buck to my dealer for assistance. I was told by Garmin to add an external antennae to boost the GPS reception. I installed a Garmin blade antennae on the a/c, which did improve the satellite reception a bunch, but made zero difference in the usefulness of the display. My dealer, Advanced Avionics in New Hampshire (awesome service, I was really impressed), sent out a replacement as soon as he heard my issues. It's getting replaced this morning. I'm hoping I just had some bad luck with a faulty unit, if they are reliable and accurate, I think it will be great. During my conversation with a Garmin, I indicated that the obvious safety issue with an attitude display that topples, yet with no warning flag. Fortunately I discovered mine to be useless in VFR conditions.

I'll keep you posted......

There have been 2 updates of the software in the G5--several early ones had the same issue, and the first update solved it for some installations but not others. The second update appears to have solved it for all of them.

For those contemplating a G5 to replace the DG, so far in certified version, it won't "talk" to other avionics. I understand that it can be made to do so in experimentals. My guess is that they'll offer that in the future for certified aircraft, but as usual with Garmin, at a price.

Cary

I'm pleased to report that the replacement G5 has been installed in my 180, and works perfect. While installing, I updated to the latest software (version 3.10). My dealer, Advanced Avionics, couldn't have been better. Their service was excellent.

Cary wrote:.....For those contemplating a G5 to replace the DG, so far in certified version, it won't "talk" to other avionics. I understand that it can be made to do so in experimentals. My guess is that they'll offer that in the future for certified aircraft, but as usual with Garmin, at a price.

FWIW you can install the "experimental" (non- or pre-STC'd) version of the G5 in a certificated airplane, to replace the vacuum-driven attitude indicator. See FAA policy statement PS-ACE-23-08 came out in Sep 2015 for guidance.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all ... ors-easier

http://download.aopa.org/advocacy/PS-AC ... 1490493789

hotrod180 wrote:

Cary wrote:.....For those contemplating a G5 to replace the DG, so far in certified version, it won't "talk" to other avionics. I understand that it can be made to do so in experimentals. My guess is that they'll offer that in the future for certified aircraft, but as usual with Garmin, at a price.

FWIW you can install the "experimental" (non- or pre-STC'd) version of the G5 in a certificated airplane, to replace the vacuum-driven attitude indicator. See FAA policy statement PS-ACE-23-08 came out in Sep 2015 for guidance.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all ... ors-easier

http://download.aopa.org/advocacy/PS-AC ... 1490493789

Good point! Why even buy a certified G5?

I wonder if a DG could be replaced with a second experimental G-5 doing duty as an HSI.

I have read that doc a few times now both with and without the benefit of coffee. I don't see a single word mentioning approval of non-STC'd avionics. The intent of the document just looks to specifically allow the replacement of a vacuum attitude indicator with an electrical one as a primary indicator, and dictates the things you need to do for that to only be considered a minor alteration (i.e. mail your 337 and you're done with it). I'd think if it were as simple as "slap in whatever experimental AI you want and fill out this form", it would effectively negate the STC process Garmin and Dynon recently underwent with their AI replacements.

The FAA may allow non-STC'd avionics in the panel with some extra hoops, but I remain unconvinced they'd approve that as a primary replacement item. The STC process isn't dying any time soon.

Honestly a dual G5 setup replacing the vacuum AI and DG isn't insanely expensive, even for the certificated models. Wait a couple years as this EAA STC program builds steam, and I think you will start to see the market flooded with some really high end stuff. The G5 is nice now, but could still benefit from some integrations yet to come - like driving one of the newly STC'd 2-axis autopilots for example, which the experimental version can, but STC'd cannot. I'd also like to see them certify it as a replacement for the slip/skid electric gyro since that's already part of the display, and no more risky since a loss of power impacts both (I'd say less risky since the gyro dies with the ship battery).

How much weight did you save by removing all your vacuum system and instruments? Looks fantastic!

Looks great Alan!

Very nice Alan!

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UtahMaule wrote:

Wow. Your panel looks awesome. Where did you have that done? And killer good photo of it.

Thanks! It turned out nice we think. We had Flight Deck in Provo do it. They did a great job, really clean on the backside too, and they kept it on schedule (it was only in there shop for a few days).

I don't want to hijack this thread, so I'll start a new one and do a write up explaining what/why we did it the way we did. Also weight lost (I'll have to go down and get the logs, I don't remember right now).

Go ahead and hijack it! I am very interested the flat panel look versus the Cessna fiberglass cutout version. I will be picking mine up at the end of the week.